Chapter 1: The Yin Body

The vast starry domain, the Ask Immortal Sect.

Zhang Yujun was one of the contemporary Holy Sons of the Immortal Sect. At merely sixteen years old, he had already reached the Foundation Establishment realm, earning high expectations from the sect’s upper echelons. He was the most dazzling genius of his generation, a peerless heaven’s pride.

“What heaven’s pride? Just a bunch of lucky ones favored by fortune.”

Zhang Yujun sat in the treasure hall, unmoved by the flattery of his subordinates.

He possessed an Innate Dao Body.

Though it wasn’t yet confirmed which type, any that manifested before Foundation Establishment was without exception a top-tier Dao Body.

“Holy Son, you’re too modest.” The woman named Chiyan smiled beside him. “Outsiders say your achievements come entirely from your Dao Body, but we’ve all seen your effort. The Dao Body’s effects only truly emerge after Foundation Establishment. Reaching it at sixteen already ranks you in the top three of the Immortal Sect’s history.”

“Still not enough.”

Zhang Yujun merely shook his head.

“My father is the Lord of the Azure Abyss Hall, and my elder brother is the foremost Holy Son in the Nascent Soul realm. If I want to assist them, I must work twice as hard, leading in everything, first in all.”

“You don’t need to put so much pressure on yourself.” Chiyan’s eyes flickered with heartache. As a Nascent Soul expert who had accompanied Zhang Yujun since childhood, she saw him almost as a younger brother.

“…”

Zhang Yujun fell silent, a flickering light in his eyes.

Of course he wanted rest.

But shortly after arriving in this world, he had understood its essence.

The law of the jungle.

Truth always belonged to the strong.

If you didn’t fight, you’d end up as food on someone else’s plate.

His mother, Qingmiaizi, had taught him that lesson with her life.

“Foundation Establishment is only the beginning. The Immortal Sect rules this starry domain; my starting point is already high enough. I can’t waste this opportunity no matter what.”

“Once Father summarizes the Dao Body information, I can choose my main cultivation method accordingly.”

Ask Immortal Sect disciples practiced the “Immortal Sect Introductory True Scripture” before Foundation Establishment; the best foundational method, allowing seamless transition to another without loss.

“Holy Son, this is the promotion list for branch sect disciples this month.”

Time passed. A maid entered the hall and respectfully presented a list, which Chiyan took and skimmed.

Though only Foundation Establishment, Zhang Yujun’s Holy Son status gave him access to all information.

“Holy Son, this batch is about average compared to previous years, but one person warrants attention.”

Chiyan had been casual, but her expression turned serious upon seeing a certain name.

“Foundation Establishment?”

Zhang Yujun pondered.

“Yes. Branch sects normally select outstanding disciples from the Immortal Sect star domain and send Qi Refining ones to the main sect. This time, there’s an extra Foundation Establishment.” Chiyan paused, adding, “Twenty years old, and while in Qi Refining, he slew a Golden Core demon.”

Zhang Yujun had shown little reaction, but at “slew a Golden Core demon,” he frowned thoughtfully.

“That snake demon that escaped from Senior Brother Li?”

“Yes.” Chiyan confirmed. “Though the snake was at the end of its rope, slaying a Golden Core great demon in Qi Refining is still a heaven-defying feat.”

“Indeed.”

Zhang Yujun was silent a moment, then acknowledged it.

Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core; each realm gap was like a heavenly chasm.

He knew he couldn’t have done it in Qi Refining.

“What’s his name?”

“Chen Zhao.” Chiyan said seriously.

Heavenly Universe Hundred Lands. A man in the Immortal Sect’s white robes stood atop a small mountain, gazing at the endless horizon, marveling at the sect’s methods.

This vast, boundless world was merely one of the Immortal Sect’s internal trial cave-heavens for ordinary disciples.

“Ask Immortal Sect, the foremost dao sect under the stars; truly lives up to its name.”

Recalling all he’d seen and heard on the way, the pride Chen Zhao had felt upon reaching Foundation Establishment vanished completely.

“Brother Chen, what are you thinking? Anything you’re not used to?” Behind him, another disciple promoted from a branch sect asked.

“Just realizing I’ve been a frog in a well.” Chen Zhao gazed far away.

“Brother Chen, you’ll get used to it. You arrived later and missed a big event from a while back.”

“What event?” Curiosity flickered in Chen Zhao’s eyes.

“The son of Azure Abyss Hall Lord, Zhang Yujun, reached Foundation Establishment at sixteen. Ranks top three in Immortal Sect history.”

Envy crossed the disciple’s face. He was twenty-five and still Qi Refining.

“Sixteen…”

Chen Zhao sighed lightly, feeling the pressure.

“I wonder how he cultivated…”

Chen Zhao knew sixteen-year-old Foundation Establishment couldn’t be explained by talent alone; it was inseparable from Zhang Yujun’s own effort.

Azure Abyss Hall.

Zhang Yujun finished his daily cultivation tasks and headed straight to Azure Abyss Hall. The outer guards recognized him and lifted the restrictions.

Inside, he saw the tall figure standing in the center.

A middle-aged man with a long beard, wearing azure robes.

At first glance, ordinary. But focusing revealed gazing up at a chaotic azure sky, consciousness sinking, inescapable.

“Greetings, Hall Lord.”

Zhang Yujun bowed.

“Jun’er, no need for formalities.”

Complexity flashed in Zhang Qizheng’s eyes. The more obedient and outstanding Zhang Yujun was, the deeper his guilt.

If Qingmiao were still here…

“Jun’er, you’ve suffered.” He couldn’t help saying.

“Father?” Zhang Yujun looked up puzzled. Seeing the sorrow in Zhang Qizheng’s eyes, he understood everything.

Zhang Yujun paused, then said slowly, “Mother and I never blamed you at all.”

“But it was because of me…”

Zhang Qizheng opened his mouth, unsure what to say.

“Enough, Father. You know the situation back then; it wasn’t your fault.” Zhang Yujun said. “And afterward, you avenged Mother by slaying the enemy. If she were here, she wouldn’t want you trapped in this.”

Zhang Qizheng was silent for a long while, then nodded.

“Jun’er, you’re right.”

He sighed, stepping out of those emotions. This had become a heart demon for him; failing to overcome it would stall his realm. It was his own issue; he shouldn’t involve Jun’er.

Adjusting his mindset, Zhang Qizheng turned to the main matter: Zhang Yujun’s Dao Body type.

Zhang Yujun sensed the increasingly subtle look in his father’s eyes.

“Hall Lord, what are you thinking?”

Zhang Qizheng heard him, couldn’t help examining Zhang Yujun again, then finally spoke.

“Jun’er, we’ve deduced your Dao Body type, but… prepare yourself mentally.”

Zhang Yujun was stunned. “Am I not a top-tier Dao Body?”

If not, all his future plans would need complete overhaul.

Zhang Qizheng shook his head. “It is top-tier, and one of the strongest.”

Zhang Yujun was confused. “Then why…?”

Zhang Qizheng sighed, then gave a wry smile. “Among the countless Dao Bodies in the void, the strongest sequence is the Innate Five Supremes, Innate Yin-Yang… Yours is Innate Yin-Yang, but specifically Innate Supreme Yin.”

Zhang Yujun murmured, “Innate Supreme Yin?”

He already had a bad feeling.

Zhang Qizheng nodded. “Yes. Innate Supreme Yin is legendary even in the endless void. Our Immortal Sect once produced an Innate Supreme Yang Dao Body bearer; his title you’ve surely heard: Blazing Sun Dao Venerable. So Jun’er, your Dao Body’s future potential is absolutely nothing to worry about.”

Zhang Yujun’s expression remained unchanged.

He looked at his hands: smooth, delicate, nothing like a man’s.

Before, it hadn’t bothered him. Now it sent chills down his spine.

Zhang Qizheng watched Zhang Yujun’s expression, feeling fate’s cruel irony.

Supreme Yin appearing in Jun’er; was it fortune or misfortune?

“Jun’er, you’ve realized it too. Once a Dao Body awakens, its effects continue. Even if you do nothing, heavenly changes will occur. All we can do now is accept reality.” Zhang Qizheng said gravely.

“I…” Zhang Yujun looked up, face full of confusion and helplessness.

Zhang Qizheng stepped forward and pulled Zhang Yujun into his arms.

“Don’t worry. No matter what happens, Father will shield you. Worst case, I gain a daughter, and your elder brother gains a little sister.”

The Azure Abyss Hall Lord, stern and aloof to outsiders, couldn’t hide his feelings now. He sighed softly.